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Digital transformation will benefit African mines

TECH SAVVY Wabtec’s technologies can enable miners to optimise people, processes and technology

DIGITAL EVOLUTION The role of digital technology in mining can be enhanced by adding sensors and Internet connectivity to mining mechanisms

DIGITAL MINING SPACE Mining evolution creates opportunities for transformation across the entire mining value chain and leads to a digital mining space

8th November 2019

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah

journalist

     

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Commodity pricing volatility and global demand variability are two profitability pressures mining companies, especially Africa-based mining companies, have to deal with. This creates a need for smarter and more efficient operations, which can be engineered through the application of leading-edge digital technology, says components and service supplier Wabtec.

“In the mining sphere, the role of digital technology can be enhanced by adding sensors and Internet connectivity to vehicles, machinery and even workers. This can increase mine safety, enhance productivity and improve grade recovery, processing and use of natural resources,” Wabtec VP and GM Doug Hanson tells Mining Weekly.

He adds that this evolution of mining creates opportunities for transformation across the entire mining value chain and leads to a digital mining space.

Wabtec can contribute to this transformation by reimagining how mining facilities run plants and deliver products “using data as the ‘fuel’ and advanced analytics as the ‘engine’ for growth”, Hanson explains.

Wabtec’s technologies can enable miners to optimise people, processes and technology. “The mining industry continually craves insight on the data it’s collecting and the ability to be prescriptive around problem solving. Wabtec’s Digital Mine with integrated technology can continue to evolve data visualisation and analytic capabilities to offer state-of-the-art machine learning capabilities for mining.”

Globally, there are several learning insights on technology and future mine concepts that African and South African mines could adopt, he says.

Hanson notes that, by optimising equipment, forward-thinking mining operations will be less concerned with the purchase price of equipment and more concerned with total cost of ownership.

“The thought process has shifted from a machine-only mindset to the need for complete solutions that maximise asset health, reliability, quality and life span. Investing in a holistic digital industrial transformation helps drive safer, more reliable operations while extending equipment life and minimising the total cost of ownership.”

He notes that, over time, this mindset will allow for optimised cost management and maximised productivity.

Additionally, these learning insights can assist with ore availability and quality. With depleting near-surface and openpit resources in mature jurisdictions, such as South Africa and Zambia, miners are forced to mine deeper or expand operations by exploring more remote locations.

Amid the increased associated costs of these expansions, mining operations must consider smarter mining, says Hanson.

“Mining companies that employ data-driven strategies have a better idea of where to start mining operations and how to meet predetermined goals. With robust data and powerful analytics, mining companies will be able to predict if a deposit or mine site can support its targets before operations begin. “This allows for more effective resource allocation and a better return on investment for cost optimisation.”

He also mentions that the integration of technology can have a positive effect in terms of creating sustainable employment. “There is a strong need for acquiring the technological skills required for the analysis of equipment and data. This directly affects the calibre or the skill level of individuals that are recruited.”

Additionally, he mentions that Wabtec’s investment in training programmes assists in developing the Digital Mine space as well.

Further, Hanson highlights the cost-effective approach of retrofitting existing equipment and operations with new technology.

“Although the cost of implementing digital solutions in a mining operation varies, depending on the scope and application of the solution, we are finding that more mining clients in sub-Saharan Africa are seeing meaningful return on investment when retrofitting equipment to implement digital solutions.”

Wabtec’s linking existing equipment to an Internet of Things (IoT) platform enabled it to assist a South African operator to deploy a collision awareness system on a contractor’s fleet at its above-ground mining operation while further optimising operations.

While “many companies in South Africa are also installing collision awareness systems to comply with safety legislation”, he highlights that what is ‘unique’ is the ability of Wabtec clients to use IoT collision awareness portfolio solutions to make mining operations safer and more reliable while at the same time helping to ensure optimal performance at a lower sustainable cost.

“Leveraging solutions from our collision awareness portfolio and operations performance management technologies enables us to assist operators in blending the ore to get a consistent feed grade into the concentrator downstream.”

Hanson states that one of the greatest challenges of transformative technology integration is that it requires more than incremental change – it requires holistic commitment to maintain trends and stay ahead of the competition in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Edited by Nadine James
Features Deputy Editor

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